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Monday, December 17, 2012

Angels and Dogs

I'm having a bit of a quandary in deciding what to write about today, especially since I usually stick to fairly safe fare around here. But I believe everyone was touched by the tragedy in Connecticut last Friday. Before I go on to Fluff Lite, I want to acknowledge the loss of all the lives taken. Especially those lives that were just beginning.

Much has already been written about these twenty new angels. So I'll just add this photo in their honor.

Despite the sadness in our hearts, we go on. We give extra smiles, hugs, and kisses to those we love. And receive the same from those who love us. We say I love you more often, reaffirming we're all still here. Reaffirming love does still exist.

It's the Christmas season for many of us. And for all of us, the new year of 2013 is just around the corner - a time for new beginnings.

As I've written this, the weather here has changed from drizzly gray to sunshine. I'll take that as a cue that it's time for me to perk up.

So I want to share a couple of photos of Shiner, the clown. He never fails to make me smile:

This is typical. He LOVES to have his tummy rubbed. I hope you can click on this photo and see it larger. He's half grinning. Please pardon other dog's nose - where one goes, so does the other.

Again, I hope you can make this larger. Can you see him looking up and grinning. He posed.

Smile :)

I'll see you Friday with an irreverent Top Ten. If I don't chicken out and change it before then.

I definitely spoiled my little girl a little more than usual this weekend. But it really does just choke you up to think about all those Christmas trees that have wrapped presents under them that will never be opened.

Ugh. Fluff Lite! Fluff Lite! I need some major fluff now. Thanks for the pictures of Shiner. Love that grin.

What can you say about dogs? They're awesome. Love the photographs, and also the beautiful one for the innocent victims of violence. But they loved and were loved, and still are loved. As you say, Carol, we must move on. Love DOES still exist. Christmas is such a wonderful time to ponder this, and put our feelings of love into action.

Ann - So good to see you! And so true. We must continue to believe in love, in all its forms. Faith, hope, and love endure, but love is the most important. We must never forget that. Merry Christmas to you and your family, too :)

Americans have a unique ability to cope with tragedies by making tasteless jokes. But not this time. This time, it's too hard to even contemplate the heart-breaking loss of all those beautiful children. But as you say, we'll get by, and hopefully, so will all the survivors in Newtown. And maybe we'll even learn, if only for a little while, to better appreciate and treasure the people in our lives.